September 22, 2013

Columnists Corner

Mitch Vingle, Charleston Gazette: Remember the beginning of last season when West Virginia scored 70 on Baylor and 69 against Marshall? How about 48 against Texas? A year later, Dana Holgorsen's wizardry has disappeared. The Mountaineers, who were humbled Saturday by Maryland, 37-0, have lost eight of their last 12.

Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News: A win over Kansas State won't cure Mack Brown's ills. Texas is already assured of taking two losses into its Oct. 12 game against Oklahoma, and the Longhorns have lost three in a row to the Sooners, the last two by 80 points. Another blowout loss and things could unravel quickly.

Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press: Yes, Michigan is 4-0, but it doesn't feel that way. The Wolverines were supposed to beat Connecticut in a romp. It almost turned into a nightmare.

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times: USC held off Utah State, but the offense is stagnant, Marqise Lee's production is still muted and the fans don't seem terribly interested. The atmosphere can be described as "mushy."

David Climer, Nashville Tennessean: You can try and shine a ray of hope on Tennessee after its loss to Florida, but the truth is that the Volunteers' program is light years behind the Gators.

Brad Rock, Deseret News: It's possible Brigham Young, with a smattering of low-voltage opponents left on the schedule, will finish with a better record than Utah, but the Utes have clear bragging rights over the Cougars for the fourth year in a row.

Paola Bolvin, Arizona Republic: There's no shame in losing to Stanford, but Arizona State looked ill-prepared for a game it had prepared mightily for.

Tom Powers, St. Paul Pioneer Press: Four games into Jerry Kill's third season, here's what we know: Minnesota's program is moving forward. It's straight-line improvement but not at breakneck speed. The impression, at least, is that the Golden Gophers are on the right path.

Kevin Scarbinsky, AL.com: It might be a new day at Auburn, but the Tigers aren't ready for Louisiana State at night.

Joe Rexrode, Detroit Free Press: Here’s where Michigan State stands after a 3-1 nonleague schedule, with a week off before starting Big Ten play on Oct. 5 at Iowa: It has a Rose Bowl defense. It has a subpar offense. And it might be in store for another string of tough, tight losses if that offense doesn’t get fixed.

Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: After four games, it's not clear that Boise State's youthful defense is capable of making the necessary improvements before the season ends.